1940-1945

Refused by the Salon de Mai, Van Lint, Bertrand and Bonnet created the group The Free Way (La Route Libre) (a single exhibition at the Gallerie de la Toison d'Or in Brussels).

Traveled to the eastern Pyrenees.

1941

Wins in the Youth Art 41 (Art Jeune 41) exhibition at the gallery L'Atelier in Brussels.

Along with Gaston Bertrand and Anne Bonnet, organized the first exhibition Contribution (Apport) at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels (will participate in Apport annual shows at the Apollo Gallery in Brussels until 1948).

1942

First solo exhibition at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels.

Paul Haesaerts includes the artist in his book Back to Humans - A trend of Belgian art. Animism.

Settles in Place Bossuet, Saint-Josse, Brussels.

1943

Wins the Brussels Award for Folk Art.

At the show Apport, he reveals The Flayed Body(L'Ecorché), a visually aggressive painting that he subtitles Back to Human (Retour à l'humain), a challenge to the animism ideals of Paul Haesaerts.

Creates the scenery for The Playboy of the Western World by John Synge for shows at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels. Painted his Self-portrait with a red tie (Autoportrait au col ouvert ou à la cravatte rouge) and his Blue interior(Intérieur bleu).

1945

Has an individual exhibition at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels and is invited to participate in the exhibition The Friends of Art(Les Compagnons de l’Art).

Co-found the group The Young Belgian Painters (La Jeune Peinture Belge), started by Robert-L. Delevoy, and represented his colleagues on the board of directors.

Participates with Gaston Bertrand and Marc Mendelson in the first exhibition of The Young Belgian Painters in Ostend.

Creates the scenery for The Soldier's Story by Ramuz / Stravinsky for shows at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels.